Viduka Feud over? Maybe, but for how long?
By Andy Baggott
August 22 2003
Peter Reid is putting up a public vote of confidence for wantaway forward Mark Viduka - is this the end of it - don't you believe it..
Peter Reid's words this afternoon will have done much to convince the Elland Road faithfull that the very public falling out is a thing of the past. Reid has been impressed with the Aussies training and workrate, hailing an all singing all dancing machine that evaluates work rates (the thing must have gone into meltdown trying to keep up with Smithy!). So, has this drawn a line under it, and Vidukes will be at Leeds for years to come? I don't think so.
I read much more into what the Leeds number 9 revealed in his own comments to the press earlier this week. He said that the matter was over, there were no problems, but refused to comment on his future at the club. Compare this to the reaction of Alan Smith when he woke up to the ludicrous reports that he would be signing for Aston Villa the other week. First thing Friday morning, and Smudger was announcing to every man and his dog that he would never leave Leeds. All Viduka had to say, when promted by the interviewer, was something along similar lines. But no - The Duke elected to go for a 'no comment', and in this case, his silence really does speak volumes.
So where do we go from here? I doubt Peter Reid knows, and I'm not sure that Viduka does. One thing is certain, and thats that there is uneasy truce between the two. Reid can't win, as he needs the hitman if Leeds are to have any level of success this year. However, Reid is a hardliner, and doesn't take kindly to being crossed (see Danny Mills!). Reid has done the diplomatic (and rightly so in my opinion) thing and tried to draw a public line under it. Viduka for his part must continue to perform on the pitch, as the fans will turn on him just as quickly as we idolised him, if he goes through the motions. I don't expect to see Viduka leave before the transfer window closes. For one, there are not many teams around that could afford him. Both Leeds and the Aussie will see how it goes between now and Christmas, and take it from there. If he is still unsettled come the end of the season, expect to see him sold. He would have two years left on his contract, and Leeds would need that back up, rather than let him enter the final 18 months/year, and risk losing him for peanuts as was the case with Bowyer and Kewell.
There will be many eyes on Viduka tomorrow, as Spurs were interested in him pre season, but were scared off by the fee and wages. On a positive note, if Viduka is playing for a move, we can expect to see the best of him, and undoubtedly, an on form, on fire Mark Viduka, is right up there with the very best.
What do you think? Will Viuka stay? What should Reid do? The message boards are there for you to discuss